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Monday, June 29, 2015

MERS outbreak has caused tourism to drop drastically. However, chinese medical tourists have been visiting Daegu consistently since June.According to Daegu metropolitan government, about 2,600 chinese medical tourists visited Daegu and received medical treatment like medical check-up, dental treatment and treatment of skin. Even about 530 chinese visited to Daegu after MERS outbreak.One tourist said that “Through AinA, I knew about Daegu, and received treatment of skin with my daughter. Though there were some people who canceled to visit Korea, I believed Daegu metropolitan government would plan MERS prevention measures. I appreciate the government, and want to visit Daegu again.”

To normalize medical tourism, Daegu metropolitan government distributed leaflets about MERS prevention, and placed masks and liquid hand cleaner in tour buses.We are facing dire economic circumstances, nevertheless medical tourism is a big and fast-growing business. Outstanding service and active publicity will make Daegu jump up be a leading medical city in the world.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Daegu International Musical Festival(DIMF) is starting TODAY. The opening musical is ! It is a Jukebox musical by playwright Bob Carlton based on Shakespeare's The Tempest and the 1950s science fiction film Forbidden Planet (which itself drew its plot loosely from The Tempest). It was billed as Shakespeare's forgotten rock and roll masterpiece.

To halt the spread of MERS, whole concert hall where musical is being played were sterilized twice. Also, at the entrances of these concert hall, heat detectors will be placed. Every audience who wants hand sanitizers and masks can get them through DIMF staff. And safety officers will be assigned too.

Friday, June 26, 2015

◆IntroductionThe Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival (Daegu Chimac Festival / 대구치맥페스티벌) celebrates what Koreans love to enjoy, chicken with beer, and will take place at Duryu Park in Dalseo-gu, Daegu. Called the Chimaek Festival in Korean, the term chimaek is derived from the terms chicken and maekju (meaning "beer"). Over 620,000 people attended over the course of the festival in 2014, and as many as one million are expected for the festival in 2015. This year's festival will include a music festival and industrial culture festival, making the entire festival a place overflowing with youthful energy.

◆TransportationTake a bus bound for West Daegu Express Bus Terminal at Seoul Express Bus Terminal. From the bus terminal, cross the street and walk southwest along Seodaegu-ro Road (서대구로) for about 230 meters. Take bus 3-1 (heading south) at Seodaegu Elementary School entrance bus stop (서대구초등학교입구 정류장).Ride it for 9 stops and get off at Duryu Library bus stop (두류도서관앞 정류장). Continue walking a little further to the intersection and turn right. The festival venue will be within sight.From Daegu, take a Blue Bus 653, 652, 503 and a Circular Bus 3-1, 3.◆Websitehttp://chimac.kr/ (Korean only)

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Greetings, Waygook!Did you get a chance to hop over to the Daegu Culture and Arts center on Sunday for the pop-up exhibit, 1600 Pandas+? If you missed it, here are a few highlights.

1600 Pandas+ World Tour Project is a traveling exhibit that began in 2008 as a collaboration between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and French sculptor Paulo Grangeon. The project began as a creative way to increase public awareness of wildlife conservation.

Each panda is hand-crafted and shaped from papier-mâché. Most of the pandas are about 14 inches long, but new additions are smaller. For the first time, “mom and cub” panda duos are being featured in Korea. The addition is a celebration of the growth of the endangered panda population over the last decade; now, an estimated 1,800 pandas are living in the wild.

Since its inception, the exhibit has traveled to 8 different countries, stopping at major cities in each along its way. If you missed the stop in Daegu, it’s not too late to see the exhibit! The pandas will tour Korea through the end of June and take up a short stay at Seokcheon Lake & Lotte World Mall Garden. Check the website for more information.

If you want to support the WWF, you can purchase a water bottle, shoulder bag, or stuffed panda at each pop-up exhibit. I bought a water bottle for myself and a few bags for friends!

As part of the exhibit, patrons can “adopt” the pandas after the exhibit closes. Currently, the page is under construction, but keep checking back to get details on how to bring a panda home!

About the Artist

"If all humans die, all animals will survive with the earth. But if all animals die, the earth and humans will disappear." -Paulo GrangeonPaulo Grangeon is a French native and has spent more than thirty years studying and creating sculpted art, focusing mainly on Thai papier-mâché techniques. Grangeon joined the WWF project in 2008 when the organization approached him about creating a unique collection to bring global attention to endangered species and habitats.For each new exhibit, Grangeon hires a team of women in Thailand to craft the pandas. Grangeon believes in bringing work to villages that struggle economically. To date, his teams have crafted and hand-painted more than 10,000 pandas over the life of the project.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

In Daegu, there's a bustling treasure trove for people who value their money’s worth: the Seomun Market - always replete with the lively colors and shapes of summer fruits and fashion.Seomun market tells of a proud history that dates back from the ancient Joseon dynasty. It is one of Korea's oldest markets, establishing itself as one of the major commercial niche in Daegu.It is divided into several districts, including those for dried seafood, food items, fabrics, clothing and accessories, kitchenware, and china. The Ajin shopping district is where artisans flock, for it boasts of a wide array of home furnishings, crafts, and traditional souvenir items. Those who are ardent about the latest but affordable fashion can always choose from the ample selection at the Myungpoom Plaza and Dongsan shopping district. There's always a lively assortment of everything for everyone - artists, designers, gourmets, and frugal shoppers out for a bargain.

The passageways between the shops are also a lively confluence of flavors, aroma, and colors. On the sides are food stalls selling kalkuksu (or knife noodles), kimbap, shiat hotteok (hot bun stuffed with sugar and sunflower seeds), yangnyeom odeng (fish cake), and fresh fruit juices.In one of my recent trips there, I spotted a queue of people in front of a stall in the middle alley. The stall is loaded with boxes of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.

The stall owner’s name is Ian; the juice extractor his most essential utensil for the merchandise that is on a plump demand during the hot days of summer. He slices the fruits in half, puts them on the extractor, and wrings the juice into plastic cups with ice. Customers can choose to have some “cider” added for zest. In Korea, cider is not the typical pressed apple juice. Rather, it’s the lemon-lime flavored soft drink that tastes like Sprite or 7-Up. I don’t know how it got the name. Perhaps, it was derived from the famous local brand Chilsung Cider. And with a little twist of cider, the lemonade I had was a perfect thirst quencher.

I also sat on one of the stalls along these food alleys to try one of Koreans’ go-to food: kalkuksu. Trying out the kalkuksu is one great traditional food experience. What makes this unique is that the wheat flour dough is not spun nor pulled; it is simply rolled out thinly and cut in long strips. The noodle is typically served with broth, made with dried anchovies, kelp and shellfish. Then it comes garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, vegetable strips, and Korean red pepper flakes. Seomun Market brims with a lot of stories – of people, of culture and traditions, and even of history. Ian and the kalkuksu lady are among the aggregate of features that make Seomun into one amazing treasure trove - one of Daegu’s windows into the Korean soul.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Daegu metropolitan government has been executing special regulation on poaching to protect wildlife from June 16~June 18. For this special regulation, It collaborated with private organization.The objects of regulation are all kinds of wildlife like otter, wild birds and amphibian. Also, It includes fishing at no-take zone(Gachang urok~Chimsan Bridge)

Currently, the number of otters(endangered species) that live in Sincheon river and Geumhogang river is about 15. For effective conservation, Daegu metropolitan government is undertaking survey of the ecological envirnment of these otters with specialized organization.Any person who unlawfully hunts wild animals shall be sentenced to at most five years.

On June 17 (Wed), Daegu volunteers were sharing information for prevention of MERS by distributing the leaflet on MERS. Also, they distributed 5000 sanitizers and masks at Dongdaegu Station, Daegu Station and Namgu Daemyeong Market.

Headquarters for Intelligence and Security announced that “To prevent MERS, wash your hands often with soup and water. And avoid close contact with sick people. If you have symptoms, call a MERS hotline(043-719-777)”

Monday, June 15, 2015

Despite the conveniences of SSMs and large marts, there are certain charms that traditional markets have. Also, in order to survive, many Korean traditional markets are trying various attempts at reforming themselves to appeal to a wider public. ‘2015 Korean Traditional Markets for Foreign Tourists’ project is part of such efforts.

Korean National Tourism Organization said it chose its ‘Traditional Markets for Foreign Tourists’. And the main criteria used in this selection were accessibility, food, nearby tourist resort and so on. Seomun market, the largest market in Daegu, was chosen as ‘2015 Korean Traditional Market for Foreign Tourists’ by tourism experts. Also, Pyeonghwa Market Chicken Alley is chosen ‘2015 Korean Food Theme Street’.This project is expected to contribute to the growth of the tourism industry and to attract more foreign tourists!

Friday, June 12, 2015

On June 24(Wed) Daegu City Choir will enchant Daegu citizens with special concert, 'Nae nara nae gyeore (내 나라 내 겨레)' at Daegu Citizen Hall. Lee Sang-ryeol, guest conductor will direct Daegu City Choir. Folk music will be played with traditional style during concert. The concert is free of charge. But every audience should make advance reservation! Please visit the website (http://goo.gl/c7hki1) for more information.

On June 10, Korea National Statistical Office (KNSO) released a report about improved employment rate of Daegu. According to KNSO, Daegu employment rate was 63.9 percent up from 1.9 percent last year. Especially, the number of employee (15~19old) edged up 9,000 in compared with the equivalent period in 2014. It means the employment situation of young people is getting better.

In spite of economic depression, Daegu achieving high employment. Also, KNSO announced that Daegu had the highest employment rate in 7 metropolitan cities. It attribute to growth of Techinopolice, Innovation City and Hightech Medical complex.

Daegu is trying to track down people who may have come in contact with Mers. The alert came as the Seoul government confirmed MERS-affected hospitals. Although Mers patient has not be conformed in Daegu, Daegu government announced that It would do its best to prevent Mers. Firstly, Daegu Public Health Center will be educate how to track down people who may have come in contact with Mers.Secondly, the Public Health Center runs 24 hours a day.Thirdly, the status of Mers patient is provided at Daegu government homepage.

MERS can affect anyone. MERS patients have ranged in age from younger than 1 to 99 years old. Please wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. And Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash.Mers hot line : 043-719-7777 Daegu government HP : http://www.daegu.go.kr/Default_2014.aspxKorea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HP : http://goo.gl/eXQf76

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Palgong Mountain (Palgongsan, 팔공산) is the most famous mountain in Daegu. Because the mountain is the site of a number of cultural and natural heritage sites. From the hilltop, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Daegu. Well, here is something exciting for you to enjoy.

On June, 15 (Mon), the Daegu Metropolitan Government make an agreement with Gyeongsangbuk-do aboug opening Palgong Moutain Dulle-gil. Dulle-gil actually means “around” so the Bukhansan Dulle-gil is just the trail that goes around Palgong Mountain, Enjoying the beautiful view of Palgong Mountain, you can walk, run, and hike.

At this moment in time, the completion date is not unclear. But It’s clear that Dulle-gil would serve as a resting place for the citizens of Daegu!

Participants will be received on a first-come first-serve basis. Also, there is a English courses for internationals. At last term, changgu class was very well-revieved by foreign students! So, don’t miss a chance to experience korean culture!

Besides, foreign students can see concerts which was performed with Daegu Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra and Daegu City Dance Troupe too :)

Friday, June 5, 2015

As the temperature goes up, summer calls you out of the house asking you to do outdoor activities! What about you? Do you have a special plan for the summer?If you're looking for something new that you've never tried before, why don't you join in a graffiti art class provided by Daegu Art Factory? Go into a different summer like no other summers while learning about graffiti art which represents 'the expression of freedom'. Though some might not think it an art, it must be a pleasant experience to express your feelings with color sprays on the wall!

[Factory Class - The Graffiti Art Class of Byung-hyuk, Nam]1. A short lecture and discussion: The program aims to raise participants' overall understanding about graffiti culture by learning about the origin of graffiti art and its definition. Also the participants will learn the development of graffiti in Korea and the current state of it in Daegu area.2. Experiential program: Participants will join graffiti art activity by spraying color paints on the exterior wall of the building.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

◆Yinka Shonibre MBE: Wilderness into a Garden‣ Exhibition Period : May 30 – October 18, 2015British-born Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE (b.1962, London) is an acclaimed contemporary African artist known for his superb aesthetic sensibility. As a dark-complected individual raised in a white society, he unflinchingly examines how Eurocentrism and racism are deeply and unthinkingly embedded in Western society. However, his works are approachable, for his criticism of imperialism, colonialism and the distortions of history that lie at the root of racism and Eurocentrism are tempered by a sense of humor. more : http://goo.gl/WBcSNb

◆Y Artist Project 6 Youn, Donghee : Discovered Memories‣ Exhibition Period : May 19 – October 4, 2015Youn, Donghee (1983- ) addresses the theme of violence in his workmainlyin a political and social context. Thanks to his similar experiences Youn, is aware of the unjust violence inflicted by state power. The exhibition title Discovered Memories is derived from scribbles Youn, discovered by chance on the wall of his studio. The truth is always with us. To determine whether we subjectively perceive it or not is in the hands of each individual.more : http://goo.gl/AksdGM

◆The Daegu Trilogy‣ Exhibition Period : May 19 – september 18, 2015The exhibition “The Daegu Trilogy” includes three artists represented in the manner of three individual solo exhibitions in order to not only survey the current art of Daegu, but also to initiate a step towards the future. The three artists, Kim Ho Deuk, Yi Gee Chil, and Kim Hee Seon, are all based in Daegu, but actively practice both nationally and internationally and will present their signature works along with newly commissioned pieces.more : http://goo.gl/BomUZ9

◆ Ottmar Hörl: Hommage to Dürer ‣ Exhibition Period : February 10 - December 6‣ Venue : Daegu Art Museum Outdoor ParkOttmar Hörl has displayed his works in an open space where many can visit, not in typical exhibit spaces such as art museums or galleries, as he believes that public places are ideal for installing artworks. He attempts to break down the realistic restriction of the term “art” which denotes that works of art are only installed in restricted spaces such as art museums and galleries, posing a question of “What is contemporary art?” in this process.more : http://goo.gl/J0vNup

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

What’s your first priority of travel? It can be shopping, tourist attractions, sightseeing and so on. However, FOOD is the main priority to most of us! You don’t need to go far. Because, you can go to Daegu Food Tour Expo 2015 which makes you happy.

Daegu Food Tour Expo has been started since 2002. Above all, you need to pay attention to online advance registration! If you want FREE ADMISSION, online advance registration is the best method (http://goo.gl/jnIkFc). It available until 5 July, Check it out now!

The exhibition is divided into two sections : food show and food contest. In food show it is supposed to introduce Daegu traditional food and fusion food.

Also, Daegu Food Tour Expo is scheduled to display seasonal table decorations. Home decor expert will give you some ideas for home decor! And besides, It will provide a food tasting event. It’s FREE OF CHARGE! So, come and enjoy this exhibition!